Dothan, Alabama is the new home to Alabamas state of the art mountain biking and hiking trails.  Boasting nearly 400 total acres, Dothan Forever Wild Trails features a 10 mile trail system consisting of six separate trail loops. The trails are the only nature preserve of its kind set in an urban area. The trails are accessible from Fortner Street and from Flowers Chapel Road off Ross Clarke Circle. The trails are joined by two wooded bridges spanning a total of one mile over swampland and Beaver Creek.  The $1.4 million bridge project was funded by the Wiregrass Foundation.

Hot Dipped Galvanizing (HDG) used for the support system of the bridges was an integral part of the Forever Wild project. The swampland is not easily accessible for repairs on the bridges, therefore HDG was chosen for its ability to withstand the elements without regular repairs. Also, Beaver Creek runs through the swampland and HDG is very environmentally safe for the fish and all animals living in this area. HDG was chosen as a sustainable and aesthetically appealing coating for the bridges.

The Forever Wild Trails will be used by thousands of people annually who will see the benefits of HDG and how it adds to the natural beauty of the area.  The longevity of the structural foundation of the bridges found on the Forever Wild Trails will lead to more awareness of the need for exposed HDG on steel.  Bikers and hiking enthusiasts will enjoy the wonderful trails in Dothan, Alabama for many years to come. When all the land is secured and submitted to the Alabama Forever Wild program, the identified land will be protected forever. Thanks to HDG the steel used on the bridges will be protected for generations also.